The 20d5 monoclonal antibody specifically recognizes NKG2A, NKG2C, and NKG2E (also known as CD159a, CD159c, and CD159e which are encoded by Klrc1, Klrc2, and Klrc3, respectively) on a subset of NK and NK-T cells in most strains tested (eg, AKR/J, BALB/c, C3H/He, C57BL/6, CBA/J, DBA/1, FVB/N, 129/Sv, NOD, SWR, and most DBA/2 substrains, but not DBA/2J). The NKG2 molecules are a family of lectin-like receptors that form heterodimers with CD94 on the surface of NK cells. DBA/2J mice do not express CD94, and the lack of CD94 is responsible for the absence of NKG2 expression in this substrain. NKG2 receptors are also expressed on CD8+ T lymphocytes activated in vivo and in vitro. The heterodimers of CD94 with NKG2A, C, or E recognize Qa-1, a nonclassical MHC class I antigen, presenting the Qdm peptide. Studies of CD94/NKG2 heterodimers on human NK cells have demonstrated that the NKG2 components mediate signal transduction for the receptor, with NKG2A being inhibitory and NKG2C being stimulatory. The CD94/NKG2E heterodimer is also thought to be stimulatory. The mouse NKG2A molecule contains two intracytoplasmic sequences that resemble the ITIM (Immunoreceptor Tyrosine- based Inhibitory Motif) consensus sequence. NKG2A transcripts have been shown to be up to 20-fold more abundant than NKG2C and NKG2E mRNA in NK cells of adult mice. The CD94/NKG2 receptors show increased expression on neonatal NK cells compared to the Ly-49 MHC class I receptors, suggesting that CD94/NKG2 receptors and their ligand, Qa-1, may play a role in maintenance of self-tolerance in developing NK cells. The 20d5 antibody is useful for identification of NK cells expressing functional CD94/NKG2 receptors, in contrast to the non-functional CD94 expressed alone, and it blocks the binding of Qdm-complexed Qa-1b tetramers to CD94/NKG2-transfected CHO cells.
Bead-based compensation or unmixing controls, such as BD® CompBeads or BD™ SpectraComp™, can be used as surrogates to assess fluorescence spillover when bound to fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies. Although these beads have spectral properties similar to cells, variations in spectral emission may occur, resulting in differing spillover values compared to biological controls. Therefore, it is considered best practice to compare the spillover obtained from cells and bead-based controls when using BD® CompBeads or BD™ SpectraComp™ for the first time, to ensure they are appropriate for the intended application.
Store undiluted at 4°C and protected from prolonged exposure to light. Do not freeze. The monoclonal antibody was purified from tissue culture supernatant or ascites by affinity chromatography. The antibody was conjugated to the dye under optimum conditions that minimize unconjugated dye and antibody.
1. Please refer to www.bdbiosciences.com/us/s/resources for technical protocols.
2. Please refer to http://regdocs.bd.com to access safety data sheets (SDS).
3. For U.S. patents that may apply, see bd.com/patents.
4. Caution: Sodium azide yields highly toxic hydrazoic acid under acidic conditions. Dilute azide compounds in running water before discarding to avoid accumulation of potentially explosive deposits in plumbing.
5. Since applications vary, each investigator should titrate the reagent to obtain optimal results.
6. The production process underwent stringent testing and validation to assure that it generates a high-quality conjugate with consistent performance and specific binding activity. However, verification testing has not been performed on all conjugate lots.
7. When using high concentrations of antibody, background binding of this dye to erythroid fragments produced by ammonium chloride-based lysis, such as with BD Pharm Lyse™ Lysing Buffer (Cat. No. 555899), has been observed when the antibody conjugate was present during the lysis procedure. This may cause nonspecific staining of target cells, such as leukocytes, which have bound the resulting erythroid fragments. This background can be mitigated by any of the following: titrating the antibody conjugate to a lower concentration, fixing samples with formaldehyde, or removing erythrocytes before staining (eg, gradient centrifugation or pre-lysis with wash). This background has not been observed when cells were lysed with BD FACS™ Lysing Solution (Cat. No. 349202) after staining.
8. For fluorochrome spectra and suitable instrument settings, please refer to our Multicolor Flow Cytometry web page at www.bdbiosciences.com/colors.
9. An isotype control should be used at the same concentration as the antibody of interest.
10. Please observe the following precautions: We recommend that special precautions be taken (such as wrapping vials, tubes, or racks in aluminum foil) to protect exposure of conjugated reagents, including cells stained with those reagents, to any room illumination. Absorption of visible light can significantly affect the emission spectra and quantum yield of tandem fluorochrome conjugates.
11. Alexa Fluor™ is a trademark of Life Technologies Corporation.
